Enhancement of Apoptosis-Related Gene Expression in Human Renal Graft Rejection

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is involved in many diseases include end-stage renal failure. Apoptosis-related genes include both stimulate genes and inhibitory gene of apoptosis. The genes which stimulate apoptosis include p53 and p21-WAF. The genes which inhibit apoptosis include bcl-2 gene family. The mechanisms of apoptosis include p53-dependend pathway and p53- independent pathway. We hypothesized that apoptosis-related genes may activate in renal graft rejection after kidney transplantation. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate apoptosis-related gene expression and localization by immunohistochemical staining (IHCS) in human renal tissues with graft rejection and compare with that in normal human renal tissue.Human renal biopsy (n=5) were obtained after kidney transplantation with mild and moderate renal rejection. Normal human kidney biopsy was obtained during nephrectomy. P53, p21-WAF and Bcl-2 levels in renal tissue were determined by IHCS. The results of IHCS was evaluated by IHCS staining density scores (0, no staining; 1, minimal staining; 2, mild staining; 3, moderate staining; and 4, strong staining).